Barrio Star
2706 Fifth Ave. (Bankers Hill)
619-501-7827
Happy Hour: 5 to 7 p.m., daily

Come on Get Happy! | Dr. Ink

I love all things blood orange and anything spicy. So a visit to Barrio Star during happy hour – specifically on “taco Tuesday” – turned out to be a place where multiple dreams come true.

Known for its contemporary interpretation of Mexican soul food, the restaurant features a sizable bar set among whimsical décor and metal chandeliers, with a few Day of the Dead skulls scattered around. The atmosphere is bright and hip, and feels equal parts dining room and cocktail lounge.

Tequila flows cheaply during daily happy hour, when the Barrio margarita made with organic lime juice and agave nectar drops from $9 to $5. A five spot also buys you a glass of sprightly sangria or a select wine, while any beer in the house sells for $4.

In addition, various munchies that steer clear of lard are priced at $6 or less. Among the newest dishes exclusive to happy hour are black bean nachos and pequeño bowls combining carnitas, frijoles and cheese served with chips and salsa. Both dishes are $5 a piece. Or if you’re hankering for warm, ultra-fresh corn tortillas like the kind you’d find in Mexico along Rosarito Beach, they’re available with jalapeno butter for $2.50 per order.

Taco Tuesdays usher in more deals, starting with the fabulous blood orange margarita that sneaks in about a shot and a half of Blanco tequila. The alcohol is effectively veiled by blood orange puree that is so fruity and refreshing, I had lost track of my intake and started talking gibberish among friends. The drink is served in a rocks glass rather than a standard wide chalice, which means the ratio of tequila to non-alcoholic liquid is greater than normal. Priced regularly at $9, you save $2 on Tuesdays.

The same discount applies to blackberry margaritas using roasted jalapeno tequila. A cohort in the group easily survived the lip burn, saying that the berry flavor won over the pepper element.

I fulfilled my hankering for heat with a couple of soy chorizo tacos that sell for $3 a pop from 5 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, dabbing them into feisty house-made hot sauce spiked with chili de arbol and roasted tomatoes. From the regular happy hour menu you can keep the fire burning with chipotle chicken wings ($6) or cool down with cucumbers dressed in cumin vinaigrette ($2.50). Combined with a few margaritas, your belly won’t be growling for dinner.

CALIFICACIONES:

Bebidas: 5
Daily happy hour features well-constructed house margaritas, several Mexican beers, sangria and a few wines. But the kicky blood orange margaritas, discounted on Tuesdays, go down remarkably easy.
Comida: 5
Not your typical greasy Mexican food. Appetizers are well spiced and incorporate organic ingredients and house-made sauces.
Valor: 4
Food and drinks are discounted about 20 percent during daily happy hour and on “taco Tuesdays,” with some appetizers ringing in as low as $2.50 each.
Servicio: 5
The staff is upbeat, much like the atmosphere.
Duración: 4
Two hours any day of the week allows you to adequately booze up and sober down in a single visit. On Tuesdays, the margarita deals continue until closing.